Monday, January 23, 2012

**2012 NFL MOCK DRAFT** V.2

ROUND 1

1. Indianapolis Colts -- Andrew Luck [QB; Stanford]No debate here. The best QB prospect since John Elway, he can make every throw and is a true leader. People are trying to find flaws in his game…they’re wasting their time. Lock it up.

2. St. Louis Rams -- Matt Kalil [LT; USC]Not popular by Rams fans but this is my prediction over Blackmon. Fischer is publicly talking about protecting Bradford as being the #1 priority this off-season. They could trade out of this spot for a team looking for RG3(Browns, Redskins, Dolfins).

3. Minnesota Vikings -- Justin Blackmon [WR; Oklahoma State]Justin Blackmon is a true Elite #1 WR prospect. If the Rams trade out of #2 then the debate begins with LT Matt Kalil vs. Blackmon. LSU CB Morris Claiborne is also a possibility but I think they give Ponder a true #1 weapon. Blackmon is Dez Bryant without the knuckle head factor.

4. Cleveland Browns -- Robert Griffen III [QB; Baylor]Either RG3, Blackmon or Richardson. I do not project trades this early in the process but they have two 1st round picks and that’s what it would take to move up to #2 if a bidding war breaks out for the Rams or Vikes pick.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Trent Richardson [RB; Alabama]30th ranked rush offense. A true #1 RB and the best RB prospect since Adrian Peterson. A much better prospect than Mark Ingram. Legarret Blunt proved he is better suited in a time share.

6. Washington Redskins -- Morris Claiborne [CB; LSU]They could sell everything to move up to #2 for RG3, if they don’t than Claiborne should be the pick. He is the last elite prospect. They could reach for a WR if they sign Peyton Manning after he gets released.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars-- Quinton Coples [DE; North Carolina]The Jags need help all over and WR is a real possibility but the upside of getting a great pass-rushing DE may be too tough to pass up. Not the elite prospect that Peppers was at North Carolina but he will be solid at the very least.

8. Miami Dolphins -- Riley Reiff [RT; Iowa]Vernon Carey at RT needs to be replaced. I think Matt Flynn ends up in Miami and Reiff would be a good bookend to Jake Long.

9. Carolina Panthers -- Michael Brockers [DT; LSU]He’s not a household name yet but he will be. Stout Run stuffer and best potential in this class at Dline. Either he or Bama CB Dre Kirkpatrick for me. Since Dre's recent arrest I dropped him out of top ten.

10. Buffalo Bills -- Courtney Upshaw [DE/OLB; Alabama]This seems to logical to not happen. Upshaw is exactly the type of player this defense needs coming off the edge.

11. Kansas City Chiefs -- Dre Kirkpatrick [CB; Alabama]Bowe will be franchised and after giving Flowers big money there is not anymore left on the table for Brandon Carr. Kirkpatrick will cost less than half the money and is a solid prospect. Barry Richardson's replacement waits another round.

12. Seattle Seahawks -- Devon Still [DT; Penn State]Kind of a tough call here but I went with Devon Still to play UT. A reach QB could be in play here or a DE if Q. Coples falls.

13. Arizona Cardinals -- Jonathan Martin [LT; Stanford]This move would slide Levi Brown over to RT. The problem I have with Jon Martin is he is a finesse LT prospect and the Cards run more of a power scheme. But he is the best LT available.

14. Dallas Cowboys -- David DeCastro [G; Stanford]Decided to go Decastro to replace Kosier. It was either that or Barron to replace Abe Elam, but Barron is more of a SS and they have Sensabaugh locked up just this past offseason. If CB Kirkpatrick falls I think he will be the pick

15. Philadelphia Eagles -- Luke Keuchly [MLB; Boston College]This seems to easy this yr. Eagles are always a tough call to mock but they need the best LB prospect available who can immediately impact the defense. They usually go O-Line or D-Line but the LB’s need a major upgrade.

16. NY Jets -- Mark Barron [SS: Alabama]It is time to upgrade Eric Smith and Brodney Pool. Barron plays SS which is the need spot. Other areas of need are a new RT, pass-rushing OLB and possibly WR. Barron is the #1 rated Safety prospect and there’s a big drop off at Safety after him, tough to pass up.

17. Cincinnati (f/Oakland) -- Alfonzo Dennard [CB; Nebraska]With Leon Hall coming off season ending surgery, Nate Clements up there in age and Pacman and K. Jennings UFA's adding a CB is a high priority. The guard and running back class is deep enough to wait until day 2.

18. San Diego Chargers -- Mike Adams [OT; Ohio State]This would be a good fit assuming Gaither is not resigned. If Antonio Garay walks you could see them select Dontari Poe as well.

19. Chicago Bears -- Michael Floyd [WR; Notre Dame]Bears get lucky as Floyd's off the field concerns make him slide a bit but he is a #1 WR potentially something the Bears lack. I considered Peter Konz here as well but WR is a more pressing need.

20. Tennessee Titans -- Melvin Ingram [DE; South Carolina] Dave Ball and Jason Jones are both UFA's and more production is needed from the DE position from a pass rush standpoint.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Lamar Miller (RB; Miami)Cedric Benson is a free agent and Miller played through injuries for the Canes and is the #2 RB prospect in the draft. I think this pick could be the steal of the draft as Miller is next in line as a great Canes RB heading to the NFL.

22. Cleveland Browns (f/Atlanta) -- Kendall Wright [WR; Baylor]RG3 gets his #1 WR weapon to go along with Greg Little. WR Wright is flying up draft boards and could be gone but I’m sticking with this for now. If the Browns come away with these two Baylor players we’re looking at a whole new team.

23. Detroit Lions -- Janoris Jenkins [CB; Northern Alabama] Jenkins left the Gators after some legal troubles or he would be a top ten pick so this is major value here. While Detroit has solid options at CB, Eric Wright is a UFA.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Don'ta Hightower [ILB; Alabama]Finding a replacement for Farrior and value hits dead on here with Hightower who is an excellent fit for their scheme. A solid run stuffer to team next to Timmons gives them a solid interior for the future.

25. Denver Broncos -- Dontari Poe [NT; Memphis] Marcus Thomas and Bunkley are UFA's so Poe would be a great run stuffer to add to the mix. Thought about TE here as they do not have a true #1 despite adding some middle rounders last year. RB or CB is a possibility too but that can wait.

26. Houston Texans -- Alshon Jeffrey [WR; South Carolina]Boy what a get this would be. Adding Jeffrey, a great red zone target, to team with Andre Johnson would be a welcome addition to the Houston offense.

27. New England (f/New Orleans) -- Nick Perry [DE/OLB; USC] Perry would fit the Pats hybrid fronts and offer versatility as a 4-3 or 3-4 edge rusher. Has the build BB typically looks for if he checks in above 6'3 and 250lbs. The last time they had pick #27 they traded it to the Packers…they selected OLB Clay Matthews.

28. Green Bay Packers -- Bruce Irvin [3-4OLB; West Virginia]As the Packers put up 30+ a game they need guys who can rush the edge. Erik Walden is a UFA. Irvin is one of the more natural pass rushers available. I like him more in round 2 and GB could probably trade back and still draft him.

29. Baltimore Ravens -- Whitney Mercilus [DE/OLB; Illinois]Whitney Mercilus can line up opposite Suggs as a 3-4 OLB. The Illinois pass-rusher has Jason Pierre Paul-type potential. He's a candidate to rise on Draft Day, I’ll keep him here for now but he could move up. .

30. San Francisco 49ers -- Andre Branch [DE/OLB; Clemson]In the SF 3-4 Branch can play opposite Justin Smith at DE or Opposite stud rookie Aldon Smith as the OLB.

*31. New England Patriots -- Stephon Gilmore [CB; South Carolina]It seems the Pats are always drafting CB's around this spot and Gilmore is another tall long CB who projects well into their system.

*32. NY Giants - -Vontaze Burfict [ILB; Arizona State]At 6’3” 250 lbs. Vontaze Burfict is a big, fast, athletic and violent linebacker that has all the tools to be the next great Giant Linebacker. This guy plays with a mean streak and looks to knock people out.